BWW Blog: Make Them Hear You Broadway

Hello readers and welcome to my first blog post for BroadwayWorld (Fun Fact: This is actually my first blog post EVER so forgive me if it's a little rough around the edges - I'll work on it I swear)! Seeing as this is my first post, I think it's only proper for me to introduce myself to this amazing community! My name is Mia Mooko, I am an 18-year-old from the forest-y land of Washington, and I'm currently a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major at Pace University in New York City. Being a freshman Musical Theatre major (in NYC of all places) has been an experience like no other - a wonderful whirlwind of excitement, anxiety and sheer joy - and it hasn't even been two months since school started! There are so many things I want to share with you all, from the adjustment to school and the city, to what classes are like, and the college audition process in itself. But for today's post, I wanted to focus on an incredible opportunity that fellow freshman Pace MT's (Musical Theatre majors) and I had the honor of participating in: the Broadway Fights Back With March For Our Lives benefit concert.

We heard about this opportunity through our director, Amy Rogers, who was contacted by a casting director that was looking for a student ensemble to sing chorus sections throughout the concert. We all jumped at the opportunity, and were so excited to be included on an event that meant so much to us as performers, as the youth of America, and for many of us, as new voters. Unfortunately, there were only 12 spots available for the ensemble, so places went out on a first come first serve basis, and not all 28 of us could attend (but they were all there with us in spirit)!

We were then put into contact with the team of Broadway Fights Back and were promptly given six songs to learn in time for the concert on October 22nd. It was at this moment when we all felt the pressure sinking in. Not only did we have to make these songs (some of which were complicated and terrifying to look at) performance ready in a week, but we had to do so for a large-scale event that was for a movement that carries so much weight in our social and political climate today. Thankfully, the team arranged a rehearsal for us with a music director, and we were able to work out most of the songs during our time with them.

Over the next couple days, we met on our own to learn the songs we didn't get to yet, and review the entire set list. Before we knew it, it was the day of the concert and we were on our way to Town Hall for tech rehearsal! We signed in, met the director and other members of the creative team, and went right into running/rehearsing the show. From finally performing the songs with a band, to singing with, watching and talking to some of my Broadway idols and meeting the inspirational leaders of the March For Our Lives movement, tech rehearsal truly felt like a dream that I did not want to wake up from anytime soon!

The performance in itself was a wonderful experience, and one that left me (and hopefully many others) inspired and motivated to do my part in this community to instate change. They hadn't run the speeches from the March For Our Lives activists/leaders/allies until the performance, so when we finally heard them, I was in awe of the amazing strength, bravery and leadership they all exuded. Their words and their truth were so inspiring and moved me to my core. In fact, the entire night moved me. Each note, each lyric, each word spoken, had so much meaning, emotion and weight behind it, and knowing that I was able to be a small part in this movement for change and activism was so humbling.

And on that note, I wanted to close this blog entry with a direct request to you, the reader! Please make your voice heard and vote on November 6th! As American citizens, we have the right and privilege to vote, and it is our duty to fight for those who either cannot use their voice or are no longer here with us to do so themselves. There is strength in numbers, and together we can do our part to make this country safer for not only the youth but for everyone. So please if you are eligible, go to the polls, cast your vote and make your voice heard!